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Now Conor, who is going into P7 at Killean Primary School, dreams of becoming the youngest person to scale Everest and when he completes his Kilimanjaro challenge in October he will be the youngest from anywhere in the world to climb it by the Lemosho Route.

He will be joined on the trek with his mum Lauren O'Malley, who told Belfast Live: "Conor's father and I are both climbers and into the outdoors and Kilimanjaro is something I had always wanted to do and as Conor is getting older I realised it is something he would be very capable of doing.

"He has a very adventurous and outdoorsy side. Legally you have to be 10 to climb Kilimanjaro and last year Conor badly broke his arm so it was never going to happen, this year seemed like the right time. We did some research and realised it would make him the youngest kids from the North to do it.

"He is very competitive so that was great for him to know and he is excited about having that."

Conor lives with common variable immune deficiency, which requires fortnightly blood infusions at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. This is why the NI Children's Hospice is set to benefit from their challenge.

Lauren said Conor was very well used to adventurous holidays having trekked through jungles in Borneo and enjoyed active holidays in Belize and other exotic locations around the world.

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"I feel he is so fortunate to be exposed to all these people who have an amazing mindset that think anything is possible," said Lauren.

Conor and dad Terence

"At the age of 11 it is really setting up up for quite big feats in his life. He will learn there is nothing you can not do.

"The altitude is one thing I worry about, you just have to wait and see how it impacts on you. I have been on big expeditions and seen the strongest and fittest fall because of altitude.

"It is challenging and it is one thing I worry about for him, that disappointment if altitude takes over. I know physically and mentally he is ready and fit but no one can plan for altitude, you have to wait and see."

And in case that wasn't enough, Lauren said her son dreams of heading to Everest and being the youngest to reach the summit - watch this space.

To support Conor with his fundraising efforts for the NI Children's Hospice, click here .

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